What one person considers a hobby; others consider it an amazing way to address special needs.

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers’ mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities.

“Our facility is a therapeutic riding center,” said Spring SIRE Site Director Shayna Bolton. “This alternative to therapy gives those with special needs an opportunity to be equal to their peers. Where they are normally in a wheel chair, on a horse they feel confident. Riding the horse, along with the movement, works the riders’ muscles.”

The non-profit organization, started in 1978, relies on a minimal staff a team of volunteers to provide riders with a therapeutic experience that is life changing.

“Volunteers are the life blood of our facility,” Bolton said. “We couldn’t operate without our volunteers. Some of our riders need three volunteers. We could never afford to pay people to do what they do and they are just amazing.”

SIRE volunteers come from all walks of life and all across the community. Ginger Luft and her 16 year-old son Josh volunteer together.

“Our family moved here from California,” Ginger said. “I missed working with children and found SIRE. They won’t be able to get rid of me.”

Although Ginger had never worked with horses she said the opportunity gives her a lifetime of experiences every week.

“I knew nothing about horses, but I knew a lot about working with special need kids,” she said. “I needed to be around kids. It is really cool to see the work these kids do with the horses and the horses do something amazing things with these kids.”

Josh, a Klein High student, started his volunteer experience at SIRE as part of his Eagle Scout project and was drawn to what the program was doing for the riders.

“Being an Eagle Scout has really taught me that you can do something and not expect anything in return, but I have really liked helping the kids,” Josh said. “Watching kids in wheelchairs that can’t walk, but can ride a horse has been a fun experience to watch and be a part of.”

SIRE-Spring is only one of three SIRE locations. It sees 65 riders on a weekly basis.

11-year veteran volunteer and The Woodlands native, Chris Jardine said his experience started as a way for his mom to make him get out of the house and he has never looked back.

“When I was 14 I played video games all the time, so it was nice to come out here and get outdoors,” Jardine said. “It was good to get involved and I was instantly hooked. Volunteering here feels like it helps you as much as it helps the kids. How often do you get to do something you love and get to help kids at the same time?”

Jardine, 23, said the experience has touched his life in so many ways that it keeps him grounded.

“When you have been here a couple of years and you see the kids go from not being able to hold themselves up and then they can ride a horse; the progress you get to see as they grow is just amazing. You realize it isn’t about you anymore and that is huge. There are only a couple of things that keep me here in Houston and SIRE is one of them.”

SIRE is hosting a volunteer orientation at all three of its locations and Executive Director Jim Williams said the organization would not be here without the generous support of all its volunteers.

“Without volunteers we don’t have a program,” Williams said. “We don’t have the ability to raise the money our volunteers contribute in their time. That is so important.”

For anyone interested in volunteering, Ginger said not to hesitate.

“Just do it,” Ginger said. “The reward is so great, the children are amazing, and working with the horses is wonderful. You can’t beat the setting. I have always taught my kids that you don’t know if you don’t try. This experience is something I would encourage everyone to try. It is just exciting to see it, to know you are part of something and it is fun.”